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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026

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Public Hearing Opens Window on Oregon Motor Voter Rule Changes By John Oliver The Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division held a formal public hearing yesterday to gather community feedback on proposed administrative rules for the Oregon Motor Voter program. The session marks the latest step in an extended statewide effort to update and refine Oregon’s automatic voter registration system. The Oregon Motor Voter program, commonly referred to as OMV, operates through the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division, better known as the DMV. When eligible residents interact with DMV services, such as applying for or renewing a driver’s license or state identification card, the system can automatically transmit information to election officials to begin the voter registration process. State officials say the proposed rules under consideration are designed to ensure that the OMV program remains accurate, secure, and carefully administered. Secretary of State Tobias Read emphasized that theme directly in his announcement of the hearing. “Accuracy, security, and rigor are the foundation of a trustworthy voter registration system,” Read said. “Shaped by key input from our advisory committee, these safeguards strengthen that foundation and raise the bar for Oregon Motor Voter.

Now, we’re asking Oregonians to weigh in on the proposed rules, so we can work together to build a system that serves every voter fairly and reliably.” The hearing begins at 11:30 a.m. and is being conducted entirely online. All members of the public are welcome to participate and offer testimony. Elections Division staff will be present during the event for the sole purpose of recording and preserving those public comments. The Secretary of State’s office noted several important conditions for the ses-

sion. Questions regarding the proposed rules will not be answered or discussed during the hearing itself. The proceeding is structured only as an opportunity for the public to speak and for officials to listen. Anyone who does have detailed questions about the administrative rules is encouraged to submit them by email to RAC_OMV.SOS@sos.oregon.gov for written public testimony and for ongoing communication outside the live hearing. Written feedback on the proposed rules will continue to be accepted through

Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Community members who are unable to attend the online session today can still make their voices heard by sending formal remarks in writing to the same address. The rulemaking process for the OMV program began months ago after an independent audit raised concerns and suggested improvements. In September, the Secretary of State’s office convened a Rules Advisory Committee to undertake a full review of the existing OMV administrative rules. That committee, frequently described by state leaders as the RAC, included a wide range of specialists. Members were drawn from county election offices, DMV program administrators, immigration and civil-rights experts, and long-time elections professionals. The objective was to examine how the automatic registration system functions in practice and determine where additional protections or clarifications might be needed. One of the primary reasons for forming the RAC was to address the findings and recommendations contained in a review conducted by the accounting and consulting firm Baker Tilly. The Baker Tilly audit analyzed Oregon’s current Motor Voter framework and outlined steps to im-

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see MOTOR, page 5

Grants Pass Advances Shelter Plan From Debate to Development By John Oliver Grants Pass city leaders are continuing work on a newly funded effort to address homelessness as the Parker’s Place community shelter project advances following recent City Council actions. The initiative, approved by majority vote earlier this winter, is now entering the implementation stage with the formation of an oversight panel and the appointment of council representatives. Seven weeks ago the City Council voted to award the Grants Pass Addressing Homelessness Grant to Elk Island Trading Company. That decision concluded a competitive process that included multiple applicants seeking municipal support for shelter services. With the vote completed, Elk Island Trading Company became responsible for carrying the project forward under the terms outlined in the city contract. At a workshop meeting held last week, members of the Council reviewed the next procedural steps necessary to keep the project on schedule. The session focused on establishing communication channels between the city and the shelter organizers, confirming timelines for required improvements to the facility, and ensuring that administrative benchmarks are tracked as work progresses. During the meeting, Councilor Rob Pell addressed questions about the grant award and

opment. Responsibilities assigned to the panel include reviewing progress reports submitted by Elk Island Trading Company, confirming that contract commitments are being met, examining budgets associated with the renovation work, and providing updates to the City Council as milestones approach. The panel is also expected to coordinate with city staff to process permits and inspections required before operations can begin. Benham and Krohn will represent the Council in meetings with the shelter organizers and with municipal administrators. The representatives will participate in scheduled reviews of the facility upgrades, including safety improvements, accessibility modifications, and service capacity planning. The Council noted that panel meetings will be subject to standard public meeting requirements. the future of the shelter. He stated that the project is now moving forward regardless of which organization received the funding. Pell emphasized that the implementation phase requires attention to logistical details, including construction planning, contractor coordination, and compliance with local regulations. He also confirmed that Elk Island Trading Company has indicated its intention to proceed with renovations needed to open the shelter.

The Council discussed how oversight of the project will be structured. As part of that discussion, the governing body voted to designate Councilors Seth Benham and Kathleen Krohn to serve as the City Council representatives on the Parker’s Place project panel. Those appointments were approved by the full Council and took effect immediately. The project panel will operate as the primary mechanism for monitoring the shelter’s devel-

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see SHELTER, page 5

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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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LOCAL POLITICS

Social Media, Public Records, and the Expanding Boundaries of City Business By John Oliver Questions about how local elected officials use social media, and whether those online interactions create public records obligations, have moved to the forefront in Grants Pass following a detailed exchange between journalist Jay Meredith and the City Recorder’s Office. The correspondence has drawn attention to the increasingly complicated intersection of digital communication platforms and Oregon transparency laws. Meredith, who writes under the byline Jay Meredith for the Grants Pass Tribune, initiated the discussion in November 2025 when he submitted a formal public records request seeking communications connected to homelessness and the City’s Addressing Homelessness Grant Program. The request asked for any written correspondence between City Councilor Victoria Marshall and other elected officials, both within the City of Grants Pass and Josephine County, during a defined time period in the fall of 2025. On November 19, 2025, City Recorder Karen Frerk issued an official response. In that message Frerk explained that the City’s Information Technology department had conducted a search of Mayor and Council email accounts. According to the City’s reply, no emails were found that met the requested criteria. Frerk invited Meredith to contact her if he had questions regarding the response packet that had been provided. Meredith quickly followed up. In a second email sent later that same afternoon, he asked why a conversation involving Russell McAlmond appeared on the first page of the material. He also requested confirmation that Councilor Marshall had searched for any direct messaging platforms she might use, including social media applications. Meredith listed several examples that are widely used for private communication, such as Signal, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger, explaining that he wanted to be certain those channels had been examined. On December 2, 2025, Meredith reiterated his position that he was not attempting to obtain comments posted publicly on Facebook pages. Instead, he clarified that he was seeking direct messages, texts, or emails on any platform where officials might discuss City business. He wrote that he was focused on all written communications, regardless of whether they originated from personal or public email addresses, or from social media accounts. His refined request narrowed the search to messages exchanged between October 1, 2025, and November 7, 2025, concerning homelessness or the homelessness grant award process. Frerk responded on December 5, 2025, that the City would treat the matter as a new public records request. She stated that her office would ask Councilor Marshall to review personal emails and social media to determine whether any

responsive communications existed. Frerk also outlined an alternative approach in which City staff could be assigned to manually review the publicly available Facebook pages of multiple elected officials. That option was estimated to require approximately five hours of staff time at a projected cost of $160 and would be limited strictly to material that was accessible to the City without special permissions. Meredith again wrote to Frerk noting that he had not heard back after the passage of several weeks. In his December 2025 inquiries he referenced the fact that more than two weeks had elapsed and asked whether the Councilor had formally denied the request or produced any records. He highlighted that the search for correspondence appeared to have been completed very quickly and explained he needed to verify that all potential locations for records had truly been examined. The City Recorder’s Office provided a final update on January 6, 2026. In a short message, Frerk informed Meredith that Councilor Marshall denied having any records responsive to his request. The email stated plainly that the Councilor reported no communications existed that matched the criteria he had submitted. Meredith has maintained throughout the process that his purpose was to deal with facts and not rumors. He explained that he was attempting to validate allegations he had heard from community sources, and that he was not trying to be abusive toward any public official. His follow up emails and attached screenshots were presented to the City as examples showing that some Council members use social media to discuss matters of public interest. To provide legal background for the issue, Meredith referenced the 2024 Supreme Court case of Lindke v. Freed. That decision established a two-part test to determine when a government official’s actions on a personal social media account constitute state action subject to the First Amendment. Under the standard, an official must possess actual authority to speak on behalf of the government and must purport to exercise that authority in their posts for the activity to be treated as governmen-

tal rather than personal. The case has relevance to situations where an official blocks a user or deletes comments from their account. Legal experts have interpreted the ruling as guidance that online behavior connected to official duties can create constitutional and records retention responsibilities. The issue is particularly important as more public business migrates to platforms that did not exist when many transparency statutes were first written. Meredith suggested in his emails that the City consider issuing formal guidance to elected officials about social media use and public records compliance. He noted that he had recently seen presentation slides prepared by attorneys with the Local Government Law Group PC in Eugene addressing similar topics. Those materials, along with the screenshots he provided, were forwarded to Frerk’s office for consideration. City officials have acknowledged that social media presents challenges for public agencies. Manual review of online accounts can require significant time and resources, especially when officials have large digital footprints. At the same time, Oregon public records law requires government bodies to make good faith efforts to locate and preserve communications related to official decision making. As of early 2026, the question remains how cities and counties will adapt their internal rules to the modern communications environment. The Grants Pass exchange illustrates that the boundaries of City business are no longer confined to council chambers and official email servers. Increasingly, those discussions take place in comment threads, direct messages, and online forums visible to thousands of residents. For the public, the debate underscores a fundamental principle of Oregon governance, that transparency laws must evolve alongside technology. For local officials, it serves as a reminder that even casual online conversations may carry the weight of public responsibility. Either way, the issue continues to expand as social media becomes an ever more prominent tool of civic life in Southern Oregon.

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NEWS DESK

Old Friends Back in Action: The Ocean’s Crew Sails Toward Another Heist By Leaf Barret The stylish world of Hollywood caper films is preparing for a familiar reunion. After years of rumors and hopeful hints, George Clooney has confirmed that the long-running Ocean’s franchise is moving forward once again with a new sequel. The upcoming film, already being called Ocean’s 14, is expected to bring back several of the beloved stars who helped turn the series into a global box-office success. According to recent entertainment reports, Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt are both set to return, stepping back into the quick-witted universe of elaborate schemes and perfectly tailored tuxedos. Matt Damon and Don Cheadle are also expected to reprise their roles, recreating the core ensemble that audiences have enjoyed watching since the early 2000s. The planned sequel represents the first time in nearly two decades that so many of the original performers will appear together in the same Ocean’s storyline. Production on the movie is tentatively scheduled to begin filming in the fall of 2026, a timeline that depends largely on coordinating the busy schedules of its high-profile cast. Warner Bros., the studio behind the project, has reportedly approved the necessary funding to develop the film, signaling that the long-awaited follow-up is more than just wishful thinking. With financial backing secured, the creative team can focus on shap-

ing the next chapter. The new film is said to explore what it takes to pull off a modern heist when the criminals involved are a little older, a little wiser, and perhaps not quite as nimble as they once were. Instead of ignoring the passage of time, the story intends to have fun with it. Clooney himself has joked in interviews that the crew might be too old to run across

Shelter Plan Advances in Grants Pass

From page 1

Elk Island Trading Company is tasked with preparing the shelter site for operation. The Parker’s Place facility, located within the Grants Pass urban area, requires interior and exterior renovations before it can open to clients. Those renovations include upgrades to electrical systems, plumbing, fire and life safety features, and general habitability improvements. The contractor selected by Elk Island Trading Company will complete the work under supervision of the project panel and city building officials. Municipal staff outlined the administrative timeline. Over the next several weeks, Elk Island Trading Company must submit detailed renovation plans and a schedule for completion. The grant contract requires that the shelter meet occupancy and safety standards before any unhoused residents are served. Once the upgrades are finished, the panel will verify compliance, and the City Council will be notified that the facility is ready. The Addressing Homelessness Grant provides funding for the development of structured shelter space

intended to serve people experiencing housing instability in Grants Pass. The grant award specifies the number of beds the shelter will provide, the hours of operation, and the range of supportive services to be offered on site. Those services must align with the written agreement approved by the Council. City officials confirmed that the panel will maintain regular contact with the organizers throughout construction. Inspections, financial reporting, and adherence to local building codes remain central elements of the process. The Council representatives will deliver factual updates to the public at upcoming Council sessions. The Parker’s Place project has been formally authorized, and the city is proceeding with the administrative steps required to bring the shelter into fruition. Work on the facility is expected to continue through the winter season with progress reports scheduled in the weeks ahead. The focus now rests on completing the contracted improvements so the community shelter can open as planned and begin providing services to the Grants Pass area.

rooftops the way they did in the past, but still smart enough to outthink almost anyone. That blend of humor and intelligence has always been the signature flavor of the series. The Ocean’s films began as a clever remake of a 1960 Rat Pack classic, and quickly became known for their smooth dialogue, playful twists, and irresistible chemistry. Ocean’s Eleven introduced viewers to Danny

Ocean and his band of highly skilled thieves as they targeted a trio of glittering Las Vegas casinos. Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen followed with even bigger plots and international settings. A later spinoff, Ocean’s 8, refreshed the concept with a new lineup, but the main story of the original gang has remained untouched since 2007. Bringing back Roberts and Pitt in particular adds an extra spark of excitement for fans. Both actors have remained major forces in the industry, and their involvement gives the sequel instant credibility. The franchise has always relied on ensemble storytelling rather than special effects or action spectacle, and that tradition is expected to continue. As details emerge, the anticipation continues to grow. Audiences who love smart comedies and intricate crime plots are already imagining another adventure filled with disguises, misdirection, and just enough glamour to make breaking the law look almost respectable. The return of familiar faces suggests that the Ocean’s team is ready to prove that experience still counts. Whether the next target is a casino, a priceless painting, or something entirely unexpected, the gang appears to be getting back together for one more ride. For moviegoers who enjoy a good plan coming together, the sails are officially being raised once again.

Motor Voter program proposed changes From page 1 prove data handling, identity verification, and overall program transparency. Following several rounds of meetings, the RAC completed its work and delivered suggested revisions to the Elections Division. Those recommendations helped shape the draft administrative rules now being presented for public comment. The Secretary of State’s office says the new rules attempt to tighten procedures while still preserving the convenience of automatic registration. Proposed changes involve how information is transferred from the DMV, how notices are sent to newly registered voters, and how county clerks maintain ongoing oversight of the system. County clerks across Oregon play a central role in the OMV program because they are responsible for maintaining local voter rolls. Any statewide adjustments to administrative rules can directly affect the daily work carried out in election offices from Portland to Eugene to Medford and Grants Pass. The automatic voter registration system has been in place for several years and has already enrolled hundreds of thousands of Oregon residents. Supporters describe OMV as a national model that increases participation by making the registration process easier for qualified citizens.

Opponents have periodically questioned whether the system is strict enough to prevent ineligible registrations. State leaders say that is precisely why the administrative rules are being revisited and strengthened. The online hearing page, hosted through the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division, will allow participants to log in, listen to the presentation, and deliver their comments directly to staff. Because the session is expected to draw heavy interest, officials cautioned that individual speaking times may be limited if attendance is unusually high. The public hearing today does not represent a final decision on the OMV program. Instead, it serves as part of Oregon’s standard administrative rulemaking procedure. After collecting testimony, the Elections Division will review all comments, consider additional adjustments, and eventually issue a set of finalized rules at a later date. For now, Oregon residents are being encouraged to take part in the civic process, either by attending the live online hearing at 11:30 a.m. or by submitting written remarks before the January 13 deadline. The proposed rule changes to Oregon Motor Voter remain open for full public review, and state officials say every voice is welcome as that process moves forward.

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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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Stand with us in defending freedom of the press and the 1st Amendment! The Grants Pass Tribune is facing political persecution, with lawsuits aimed at silencing our bold investigative journalism. We remain committed to uncovering the truth and keeping our community informed like never before. Show your support for independent journalism and the fight against political tyranny. Place your ad with us and align your business with the values of free speech and transparency.

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COMMUNITY How Everyday Choices Can Reduce America’s Leading Health Risks By Charles Power Heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension sit at the center of the nation’s ongoing health crisis, not because they strike suddenly, but because they develop quietly over years. These conditions are responsible for a large share of preventable illness, disability, and premature death in the United States. While genetics and age play a role, research consistently shows that daily habits and early awareness are the strongest defenses against becoming another statistic. One of the most powerful protective steps is maintaining routine medical care. Regular checkups allow blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight trends to be tracked over time. Hypertension and type 2 diabetes often cause no noticeable symptoms in their early stages, which means many people live with dangerous levels for years without realizing it. Early detection allows lifestyle adjustments to begin before medications or complications become necessary. Nutrition remains a cornerstone of prevention. Diets high in processed foods, excess sodium, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars place constant strain on the heart and metabolic system. Shifting toward whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, legumes, and whole grains helps stabilize blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation. Portion awareness matters just as much as food quality, as chronic overeating contributes to weight gain and insulin resistance even when food choices appear healthy. Physical activity acts as a natural regulator for all three conditions. Consistent movement improves circulation, strengthens the heart, lowers resting blood pressure, and increases the body’s ability to use insulin efficiently. Moderate

GRANTS PASS WEATHER 5 DAY OUTLOOK SOURCE: WEATHER.COM

WEDNESDAY Rain 43/33

THURSDAY Cloudy 42/28

exercise does not require a gym membership or intense routines. Walking, cycling, gardening, and household labor performed regularly can produce measurable benefits when sustained over time. The key factor is consistency rather than intensity. Stress management is another often overlooked factor. Chronic stress elevates cortisol and adrenaline levels, which can raise blood pressure, disrupt glucose regulation, and encourage unhealthy coping behaviors such as overeating, smoking, or excessive alcohol use. Developing reliable methods to decompress, whether through structured routines, social connection, adequate sleep, or mindfulness practices, directly supports cardiovascular and metabolic health. Sleep itself is increasingly recognized as a protective factor. Poor or inconsistent sleep alters hormone balance, increases appetite, worsens insulin sensitivity, and raises blood pressure. Adults who prioritize sufficient, regular sleep are less likely to develop metabolic

disorders over time. Sleep should be treated as a nonnegotiable health behavior rather than a luxury. Avoiding tobacco and moderating alcohol intake remain essential. Smoking damages blood vessels, accelerates plaque buildup, and magnifies the effects of hypertension and diabetes. Excessive alcohol intake contributes to elevated blood pressure, weight gain, and liver and metabolic dysfunction. Reducing or eliminating these exposures can rapidly lower longterm risk. Perhaps most importantly, prevention works best when viewed as a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix. Small, sustainable changes accumulate into significant protection over decades. Heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension are not inevitable outcomes of aging. For many Americans, they are preventable conditions shaped by daily decisions, access to care, and early awareness. Choosing prevention today reduces the likelihood of becoming part of tomorrow’s statistics.

FRIDAY Partly cloudy 45/30

SATURDAY Mostly cloudy 47/34

SUNDAY Partly cloudy 49/34

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TAKE A BREAK

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

January 5, 2

December 29, 2025 Posting Date

January 5, 2026 Postin

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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THE BCC WEEKLY The BCC Weekly - Taking the “Blind” out of the BCC

Truth By: Jay Meredith, CPA Investigative Journalist Whether you’re talking about matters of faith, science, politics, justice, business or any major topic that demands our attention, there are few things that are more important than truth. This BCC Weekly column was started in March of 2025 largely because of the extraordinary actions that were being taken by the Josephine County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and by individual members of the BCC with what in my opinion was a simultaneous effort to conceal or distort the truth behind some of these actions. The truth is, I hope that I can change the name of this weekly column in the near future to something more like “local government weekly” as there are plenty of worthy local topics to report on when we get to the point of the BCC no longer jumping from one controversy to the next without any kind of break between controversies. Also, the truth is this week’s column was written long before preliminary Commissioner Barnett recall election results were set to be announced just after 8pm on Tuesday, January 6th. Regardless of how the recall vote goes, the 2026 BCC will have to follow up on many of the topics in this week’s article. What follows are many BCC truths that led to both the creation of this column and why this column became even more necessary throughout 2025. In full disclosure, I helped lead the recall John West campaign in 2024 when I saw former Commissioner West and former Commissioner Baertschiger take some votes and actions that severely weakened Josephine County and took some budget funds away from law enforcement and justice programs that used to go to these County departments. And in 2025, I also endorsed a yes on Barnett recall vote. One of the earlier truths as it relates to the BCC Weekly genesis is that Commissioner Chris Barnett did some advertising and article writing in the Grants Pass Tribune during the first 6 months or so after the GP Tribune was launched in January 2024. When the GP Tribune started printing some inconvenient truths about Barnett’s campaign and his political ally John West in the summer/fall of 2024, Barnett dropped all GP Tribune advertising and then even brought a defamation lawsuit against the GP Tribune owner a few months later. Barnett claimed foul for speaking truths about things such as his major RV Resort lawsuit, which the Oregon Supreme Court proved truthful in 2025. It has even been alleged in another court case over the last year that political allies of West and Barnett went after advertisers that used to do business with the GP Tribune and demanded they pull all their advertising dollars. As for recalled Commissioner West, who used Barnett as his realtor for about 15 years before Barnett was elected as a commissioner, when his recall was launched in August of 2024 West turned his anti-recall campaign into a battle of “truth.” West’s entire campaign was essentially the “recall petition is nothing but lies.” Even though West has lost most of that truth battle in the court of both public opinion and the court of law, at least at the Circuit Court level, West and certain political allies continue to say that recall petition had lies in it. And even though no major story written by the GP Tribune

owner has ever been proven to be false, and I have never written any false stories, the lawsuits and accusations against us have continued to fly over the last year. These are direct attacks on our 1st Amendment Rights, and we will continue to prove this in court. John West sued the County Clerk and lost. John West sued chief recall petitioner Lily Morgan and lost on almost all points, pending appeal. The one issue West didn’t lose on in Lily Morgan’s case wasn’t decided definitively one way or another, but West lost on the vast majority of his points at the lower court level. West and Barnett both claim victory on their cases against the GP Tribune owner, but those cases were never decided based on merit and a procedural and mailing error led to a default judgment before the cases were even argued in court. Not to be deterred, West then waited seven months after he was recalled by voters and then brought a $2 million lawsuit against both JJ Scofield and I personally for our role in helping to lead his recall campaign. In West’s original July 2025 lawsuit, West framed JJ and I essentially as the ringleaders that caused his entire recall. Coincidentally, West also attempted to frame the GP Tribune owner as the recall ringleader. Then West attempted to frame recall chief petitioner Lily Morgan as the ringleader. Then West attempted to frame JJ and I as the ringleaders. Then in November of 2025 West dropped JJ from the lawsuit completely and added additional charges against me personally. One rhetorical question would be, why was JJ the ringleader of his recall in July but then completely removed from the case in November? Could it be because I continue to write articles that shine a light on inconvenient truths of the BCC? The truth is, I’m looking forward to my case being decided in the court of law because I have confidence truth and justice will be served. Recent weeks have made me reflect on why I write these weekly articles on completely a voluntary basis and why what happens in the BCC office matters so much to me and so many

others in the community. The truth is that our safety is literally on the line. Law enforcement and public safety is the #1 duty of City and County government. We have to renew a county jail/juvenile levy in the next 18 months and led by Barnett/Blech the 2025 Board of Commissioners Office (who will ultimately decide the terms of next levy) had been jumping from one crisis or controversy to the next through the entirety of 2025. There has been no time in the last 12 months when the BCC office was not facing some sort of major crisis or controversy. And if you’ve been following along in recent weeks, you know the 2025 year ended with a sworn affidavit / testimony being submitted to the court the day before Christmas that stated that Commissioner Barnett in May 2025 bribed someone to make a false police report against the owner of the GP Tribune and it was disclosed that Barnett has been under criminal investigation for the last 55 days or so. It was also disclosed publicly last week on a podcast that law enforcement has hundreds of text/direct messages in their possession from Barnett which allegedly prove this testimony and DOJ/ GPPD is investigating now. It’s innocent until proven guilty of course, but a sworn affidavit takes things to a whole new level. Other inconvenient truths that dominated headlines in the last year were as follows. And yes, I have documentation or confirmed proof behind the truth of each of the following. 1) In reference to County IT and Emergency Management Director Michael Sellers, I asked “Candidate” Barnett in the fall of 2024 if he thinks the county should have a moonlighting policy. Barnett refused to answer the simple question. After multiple attempts by Commissioner(s) to promote Sellers in 2025 (the infamous $388k per year package was the first attempt), Mr. Sellers has been on administrative leave since late October pending a DOJ Investigation. 2) An inside whistleblower also confirmed former commissioner Blech was or is also facing

a DOJ investigation. 3) On the Fall 2024 campaign trail Barnett claims he’s been deep into local events and local politics for decades but insults Keith Heck on a Facebook post and asks who he is since Barnett never saw him anywhere. This is a huge red flag given Keith Heck served a term as a County Commissioner only about 10 years ago and is the former Executive Director of the GP Gospel Rescue Mission before he was a commissioner. 4) In the first Commissioner meeting of the 2025 year, Barnett joined outgoing commissioner John West and voted to prematurely cancel the GP library branch lease. A couple months later one of Barnett’s Facebook pages paid Facebook advertising to spread what I would call a hit piece on why the library lease wasn’t financially “fair” despite a County Charter requirement to support the maintenance of library branches. What’s really not fair in the eyes of Library supporters is the $40+ million of property taxes that have been redirected away from County libraries since funding was cut off in 2007. But somehow Barnett felt justified to join recently recalled commissioner John West and complain about the $14k per year in maintenance costs the County was paying on the GP library branch (on average) even though the highest law in the County Land-The Charter-requires the County to pay this. Barnett in campaigning against the recall then patted himself on the back for helping to negotiate a new lease after almost nine months of lease controversy which he and West started. 5) In February 2025 the BCC approved a DOGE-style government employee buyout program without ever analyzing the financial pros and cons which cost the County over $700k in severance payments. Crisis after crisis ensues from there on out in 2025, but they replace almost all employees that took the buyout in some way because the reality is the County is in better financial shape than it’s been in 14

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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

THE BCC - continued years due in large part to voter approval of new Law Enforcement Services District in November 2023. There was never a “financial” need to offer buyouts or restructure departments in the first place. 6) On the Law Enforcement District campaign trail in 2023, the Sheriff promised 27 new staff members with a voter-approved law enforcement service district. This staff number passes the smell test because we property owners are now paying $5.5 million per year more than we used to due to the new district. 27 Employees to help enforce local law and order seems like the least we can do for our additional $5.5 million per year in property taxes. But under the John West/Herman Baertschiger/Andreas Blech/Chris Barnett regimes, so far two years later after voter approval we only have 11 newly budgeted Sheriff office employees. But that doesn’t stop Barnett from claiming the 2025 commissioners restored 24/7 Sheriff patrol. The inconvenient truth is both the 2024 and 2025 Commissioners took millions of general fund revenue allocations away from law enforcement as compared to the years right before the law enforcement district was voter approved. I wonder why voters and property owners are not complaining more about promises broken and not getting what we are paying for? It may be because the commissioners falsely claimed over and over again throughout 2024 and 2025 that the County is still broke. Real financials show the truth is the county is in the best financial position it has been in since at least 2012, but today’s commissioners say otherwise. 7) Barnett created a series of his own “News” outlets about two months after the start

of his term as commissioner in January 2025. Coincidentally this happens at the same time as Grants Pass Tribune Staff requested media credentials to attend BCC Executive Sessions (GP Tribune disclosed the huge numbers of online readers it’s getting, proving it’s already one of the most widely read local media outlets). Commissioners respond by suspending the media policy and no longer hold executive sessions. This puts the county at greater legal risk by the commissioners no longer being able to meet together to discuss sensitive legal, personnel, and property transaction matters. Snubbing the GP Tribune appears to have become more important to Commissioner Barnett than the good of the County. 8) Throughout the last year, Barnett’s fledgling owned and operated “News” pages regularly discuss County business and regularly harass and attack anyone that vocally expresses criticisms of the BCC or Commissioner Chris Barnett. Several official complaints about Barnett’s social media use alleging retaliation, harassment, and other improper social media use are pending internal investigations within the County as of today. Barnett operates under Josephine County Tribune, Josephine County News, Real Live News Oregon, Grants Pass News, and a couple others. Barnett and political allies of Barnett regularly use these “News” Facebook pages to discuss County business, post campaign fluff about Barnett, and allegedly illegally delete citizen comments and illegally block many citizens from accessing these pages (which allegedly goes completely against a 2024 ruling by the Supreme Court of the US). 9) The 55-day reign of power and county employee terror - Commissioners gave unelect-

ed Commissioner Blech power to unilaterally do anything he wanted in the personnel arena for a period of 90 days. Commissioners then cut off the power at about the 55-day mark right after the $388k per year Sellers pay package was disclosed by a whistleblower. Blech and Sellers illegally fired several department heads (if one sees Charter provisions related to department heads as legally enforceable). Two department heads fired had retaliation and bullying claims upheld by third party legal internal investigators right before they were fired, potentially costing the county millions in eventual lawsuit costs. 10) Former Commissioner Blech combined Adult Corrections with Juvenile Justice without even studying the pros and cons and ignored a state law on how to appoint a new juvenile justice director. 11) The BCC fired the public works director and replaced him with two managers, which costs more according to records disclosed by the Daily Courier. Barnett has a pending BOLI claim for obvious age discrimination actions during the public interview process for one of those new managers. 12) Two separate insider whistleblowers later, all three commissioners try once again to promote Michael Sellers in secret. This promotion added the title of “chief of staff” of the BCC office to Sellers’ responsibilities and this promotion personnel action form was signed by all three commissioners without anything discussed about this in public meetings. But mysteriously the promotion was rescinded a couple weeks later with no explanation as to why. 13) In response to the recall petitions being filed in late August of 2025 against both

Commissioner Barnett and Blech, these two commissioners publish a 3-page “whitepaper” in September 2025. The “whitepaper” is riddled with false statements and appears to blame the recall effort on a national and local left wing political group that had nothing to do with the recall. At least one official complaint has been filed against Barnett with the Secretary of State Elections divisions due in part to false statements made in this published whitepaper. The complaint is pending and was only filed this week. 14) At least two official complaints have recently been filed against Barnett with the Secretary of State Elections Division for false statements allegedly made in the SEL 352 Statement of Justification which appeared on the recall special election ballot for all voters in Josephine County. Both complaints (that we know about) are newly filed and are pending. 15) The week after Christmas, Commissioner Chris Barnett emailed legally ineffective “Cease and Desist” orders (without even using an attorney) to at least four local citizens, including both the GP Tribune owner and I. At least two of us responded back several times asking which specific comments of ours Mr. Barnett was concerned about. Mr. Barnett refused to cite any specific comments of concern, suggesting the Cease and Desist emails were yet another bully tactic. We asked repeatedly for Mr. Barnett to cite specific concerns, and none were provided. Stay tuned as the truth is we won’t stand for our state and federal constitutional rights to be trampled on by commissioners and former commissioners. You keep reading, and we’ll keep shining a light on the truth.

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